Appalachian Trail Museum Announces Sunday Afternoon Programs for 2012

The first in a series of programs reviewing the Appalachian Trail in each of the 14 states that it crosses will be presented on Sunday, May 6, at 2 p.m. at the Ironmaster’s Mansion in Pine Grove State Park in Cumberland County. The first presenter will be my good friend Lorrie Preston of Mechanicsburg. The “Georgia on My Mind” program on May 6 will focus on the Appalachian Trail experience through Georgia where Springer Mountain is the starting point for northbound Appalachian Trail journeys and where the trail ends for south-bounders. The trail’s history, highlights and natural beauty in the Peach State will be discussed by Lorrie Preston, Appalachian Trail section-hiker and Appalachian Trail Museum volunteer. She also will explain how to section-hike the Appalachian Trail through Georgia in one week, using just a day pack.

Another friend, Gwen Loose of York, program chair for the Appalachian Trail Museum, has developed the series of Sunday afternoon programs. They will include: • Story-telling, songs and activities for children • Appalachian Trail history • Arts and crafts on the Appalachian Trail • Natural features of the Appalachian Trail • Trail maintenance techniques • Hiker skills, equipment and safety • Pioneer hiker profiles and why they are important • First person hiking experiences and accomplishments

All programs will begin at 2 pm on Sundays at the Appalachian Trail Museum unless otherwise announced.

Programs topics may be submitted to info@atmuseum.org for consideration. Anyone interested in being a program leader or an Appalachian Trail Museum volunteer may contact atmuseumgreeters@gmail.com or call 717-486-4083.

Here is a complete list of the programs developed to date. More will be announced throughout the spring and summer.

May 6: Georgia on My Mind First of a series of programs showcasing the 14 trail states, focusing on the AT experience through Georgia.

May 13: The A.T.’s Famous Women Celebrate Mother’s Day with this program honoring the women of the Trail.

May 20: Meet the A.T. - America’s Long Footpath (In partnership with Cumberland Valley Historical Society Public “Picnic”) An overview of this great footpath including its location, history, famous hikers and much more.

May 27: Meet Two of the A.T.’s World War Veterans – Myron Avery & Earl Shaffer World War II service of Myron Avery (AT “founding father”) and Earl Shaffer (1st thru-hiker) impacted their AT experiences.

June 3: CHILDREN’S PROGRAM - A Reading of the Dr. Seuss Classic, The Lorax Young & young-at-heart, enjoy a reading of The Lorax & a march around the museum grounds lead by “Cat-in-the-Hat.”

June 9 (Saturday): Behind the Scenes of the AT Museum New Exhibits

June 10: Mountains, Metal, and Men - A Story of Pine Grove Furnace, 1764-1895 A tribute to the overseers and workers of the 18th and 19th Centuries who worked in the area’s iron industry.

June 17: The Fall and Rise of the American Chestnut Tree Learn of the economic & wildlife impact of the demise of the American Chestnut & the strategies for its return.

June 24: Mid-Point Picnic & Story Time with A.T. Thru-Hikers A picnic lunch for AT thru-hikers, as they reach the half-way point, in exchange for a telling of their Trail stories. (Donations of picnic food appreciated.)

July 1: World-wide Trail Trekking Rick Revegno, former Cumberland County Commissioner, shares experiences as a world traveler of exotic trails.

July 8: The Magic of the A.T A talk on the history and basic information of the A.T. and stories about how volunteers started the A.T. Museum.

July 15: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting Museum will host a special display on Girl Scouting, as the Scout’s participate in a “Halfway There” Camporee.

July 29: Family Concert of Traditional “Mountain Music” Randy Heisley-Cato returns for a concert featuring southern Appalachian music, early Gospel, and novelty tunes.

August 5: Appalachian Trail Safety Meet an AT ridgerunner. Learn about this unique job assisting hikers, and how you can stay safe on the Trail.

August 12: The Art of Hiking Stick Carving Learn from local carvers how the common wooden stick is transformed into a work of art. Demonstrations & samples.

August 19: Iron-making and the Iron-makers at Pine Grove Furnace Learn how to make pig iron, the iron-making community at Pine Grove Furnace, and its prominent figures.

August 26: Geology of the A.T. Mountains, gaps, rivers, balds, etc. all present an exciting variety of geology along the Trail.

Stay Connected

A partner of

The official registration and financial information of WITF may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.